BASF Corp., headquartered in New Jersey, was recently honored as a General Motors Supplier of the Year for exceptional performance as a global supplier of automotive Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) coatings in 2005.

Atlas Material Testing Technology LLC, a Chicago-based manufacturer of weathering testing equipment, has expanded its Customer Care Program to include a number of preventative maintenance/calibration services that can be tailored to fit individual laboratory needs.

The Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications Committee of the ASTM (D01) will hold its semi-annual meeting at the Sheraton Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, June 25-28, 2006.

Michelman, a manufacturer of performance enhancing coatings, has acquired Wagers Corp., including Wagers' color coating products, inks, intellectual property and sales.

MeadWestvaco Corp. has signed a definitive agreement with Compagnie de Saint-Gobain to acquire Saint-Gobain Calmar, a global manufacturer of plastic dispensing and spraying systems, for $710 million in cash.

Lincoln Plating, headquartered in Lincoln, Neb., has been selected by the U.S. EPA to join its National Environmental Performance Track Program.

New York and Chicago were the host cities for the first PPG ColorShare Forums, which are designed to bring together color visionaries from the automotive, consumer electronics, architectural design, fashion and other industries to discuss the role, meaning and technology of color in contemporary design and culture.

Harrison Smitelli and Marty Hansen have joined Atlas Material Testing Technology LLC as technical sales representatives. Smitelli, who has more than 20 years of technical sales experience in industries such as transportation, food, manufacturing and utilities, will be responsible for the southeastern U.S., covering Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama and Tennessee.

Manufacturers are constantly challenged to reduce costs and increase productivity to remain viable in today's hyper- competitive marketplace. This is especially true for companies that apply paint or other finishes to their products.

The E-coat extravaganza was uniquely organized. Conference papers were presented consecutively in one hall, with each presentation limited to about 20 minutes. The last speaker finished around 4 p.m. At that juncture, the attendees' focus was redirected to supplier hospitality suites, which were used in place of traditional exhibition floor booths. Technical, sales and marketing people were available in each suite, as well as an assortment of fine munchies and adult beverages. About 20 suites were set up.